except in one instance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "except in one instance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a statement or rule applies in all cases except for a specific situation. Example: "The policy is strict about attendance, except in one instance where prior approval is granted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Except in one instance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mintschew always gets the last word, except in one instance: when Pintschew prevails in his argument to repeal the Passover Legume Ban just as the Conservative rabbis prevailed last December.

The New Yorker

The hungry cohort identified as many of the words as the others except in one instance – they were far more likely to identify the word "cake" than their fully fed peers.

The Guardian - Books

This was true except in one instance: those who measured and had evidence of the impact of gender diversity on performance, responses between men and women were identical.

Forbes

In both groups, Clus was not observed except in one instance.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

The authors have responded appropriately to the earlier comments except in one instance.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

After examining the alignment in ClustalX, we could see that the middle was conserved except for an 84 bp deletion in one instance and a 67 bp insertion in another.

BMC Genomics

Olivares was even smarter in one instance.

The New York Times - Sports

We saw it all in one instance.

The Guardian

In one instance, he cited the CDC.

The Washington Post

"In one instance, I got the refund.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "except in one instance" to clearly and concisely indicate a specific exception to a general rule or statement, ensuring your writing is precise and avoids ambiguity. This phrase is particularly useful when the exception is noteworthy or requires special consideration.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "except in one instance" in a single piece of writing. If you find yourself using it frequently, consider restructuring your sentences or using alternative phrases like "with one exception" or "apart from" to maintain variety and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "except in one instance" functions as a qualifier or conjunction, introducing an exception to a general statement. It signals that a rule, observation, or pattern holds true in most situations, but there's a specific, singular case where it does not apply. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and useful phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "except in one instance" is a grammatically sound and commonly used qualifier to introduce a specific exception. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic writing, indicating its versatility and importance for precision. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly identifies the specific exception and consider alternative phrases like "with one exception" to maintain variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with one exception

More concise; focuses directly on the exception.

save for one case

Slightly more informal; emphasizes a specific situation.

apart from one occasion

Highlights a particular event that deviates from the norm.

barring one instance

More formal; uses "barring" to indicate the exclusion.

but for one example

Emphasizes a single example as the exception.

excluding one situation

Directly excludes a specific set of circumstances.

other than in one case

More verbose; uses "other than" for emphasis.

with the exception of one

Adds slight emphasis to the exception itself.

excepting a single occurrence

Uses "excepting" to create a more formal tone.

besides one particular event

Emphasizes a specific event that is not included.

FAQs

How can I use "except in one instance" in a sentence?

You can use "except in one instance" to introduce an exception to a general statement. For example, "The rule applies to all students, except in one instance where a medical exemption is granted."

What are some alternatives to "except in one instance"?

Alternatives include "with one exception", "save for one case", or "apart from one occasion". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and tone of your writing.

Is it better to say "except in one case" or "except in one instance"?

Both "except in one case" and "except in one instance" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context. "Instance" may sound slightly more formal than "case".

What is the difference between "except in one instance" and "except for one instance"?

While both are acceptable, "except in one instance" is often used when the exception relates to something contained within the statement. "Except for one instance" may suggest that the exception is external or separate from the main point.